John Mayer Daytona

John Mayer Rolex Daytona 116508 and 126508: The Yellow Gold Daytona With the Green Dial

The John Mayer Daytona is the collector name for the 18k yellow gold Rolex Daytona with a green dial. It began as the ref. 116508, introduced in 2016 and produced until 2023, and it continues as the ref. 126508, which Rolex brought back with a green dial in 2025. Full yellow gold case, full yellow gold Oyster bracelet, and a dial in Rolex's own house color: it is the boldest regular production Daytona of the modern era. We buy, sell, and trade the John Mayer Daytona in every condition, from new unworn 2026 examples to used pre-owned watches.

The name comes from the musician and watch collector John Mayer, who singled the green dial 116508 out in a widely watched 2019 collector interview as a sleeper that the market had not caught up to. The market caught up almost overnight. Rolex does not use the name, but it is how the watch is searched, bought, and sold, and collectors now call the 126508 the John Mayer 2.0.

John Mayer Daytona Specifications

What Makes the John Mayer Special in Hand

It is the combination that does it. Green and yellow gold are the two colors Rolex uses for its own name and crown, and here they sit together on the brand's most wanted chronograph. The sunburst dial moves with the light, reading as a deep forest green indoors and flashing bright emerald in the sun, and the weight of solid gold through the case and every link gives the watch a presence no steel Daytona has.

The two generations wear the same on the wrist but look different up close. The 116508 keeps its subdials green to match the dial, a tone on tone look. The 126508 sets golden subdials against a brighter green, so the three registers stand out the way they do on a Paul Newman Daytona. We are happy to FaceTime either one so you can see the dial for yourself.

John Mayer 116508 vs. John Mayer 2.0 126508

Choose the 116508 if you want the original, the watch the name was given to, with a finished production run. Choose the 126508 if you want the current generation with the newer movement, the refreshed case, and the higher contrast dial. Other yellow gold Daytonas worth a look: the champagne dial Pikachu and the turquoise Tiffany Daytona, both on the Oysterflex bracelet.

John Mayer Daytona Price and Market History

Pre-owned 116508 John Mayer examples typically trade from $68,000 to $80,000, and the current 126508 from $82,000 to $90,000, with new unworn full sets at the top of each range. Both sit far above their retail prices. The 116508 was a quiet seller for its first three years, then climbed sharply once the nickname took hold, and its discontinuation in 2023 fixed the supply.

Where a specific watch lands comes down to four things: the condition of the gold case and bezel and whether it has been polished, bracelet stretch, completeness (box, warranty card, booklets, hang tags), and production year. We will walk you through current comps on any John Mayer you are considering, ours or not.

How to Buy a John Mayer Daytona With Confidence

At this price the dealer matters as much as the watch. Here is what we check on every John Mayer Daytona, and what you should expect any dealer to confirm:

• Gold and hallmarks. The case, bezel, and bracelet are solid 18k yellow gold, never plated, and carry the correct hallmarks. Weight is the quickest tell.
• Dial. A factory green dial with crisp printing and correct subdial finish for the reference. Aftermarket green dials fitted to other gold Daytonas exist, so the dial must agree with the reference and the paperwork.
• Bezel. Sharp, evenly filled tachymeter engraving. A soft gold bezel shows wear and polishing quickly.
• Rehaut and serial. The engraved inner ring carries the serial number, which should match the warranty card.
• Movement. A genuine Caliber 4130 or 4131, with the chronograph start, stop, and reset tested and the watch timed on our equipment.
• Completeness. Box, warranty card, booklets, and hang tags all add value. Every listing we post states exactly what is included, nothing assumed.

New Unworn & Used Pre-Owned John Mayer Daytona

We buy, sell, and trade the John Mayer Daytona in every condition, from new unworn 2026 examples to used pre-owned watches with honest wear. Every watch is authenticated in house at our Oak Park, Michigan showroom, and we will FaceTime any John Mayer in hand so you can see the dial, bezel, and bracelet for yourself. If you own a John Mayer or any Daytona you are ready to move, start a quote on our Sell My Watch page, or ask about trading toward another piece. Looking for a specific year or generation? Tell us through our contact page or call or text 248-422-0909 and we will source it.

Ships fully insured nationwide from our Oak Park, Michigan showroom via FedEx Hold for Pickup at your nearest FedEx location. Call or text 248-422-0909. Browse every Rolex Daytona we carry, see more gold Rolex watches, or shop all Rolex.

John Mayer Daytona FAQ

Complete Reference Index

John Mayer (2016 to 2023): 116508, Cosmograph Daytona, 40mm 18k yellow gold, green sunburst dial with green subdials, Caliber 4130.

John Mayer 2.0 (2025 to present): 126508, Cosmograph Daytona, 40mm 18k yellow gold, bright green dial with golden subdials, Caliber 4131. On this site the John Mayer name applies only to green dial versions of these two references.